Chapter 229 - Putrid Smell (1/2)

”Sorry about the disturbance,” Ava apologized after ending the call with Ollie. Tucking her phone in her pockets, she regarded herself in the mirror and adjusted her wavy locks and pushed it up to add more volume. Looking over her shoulders, she locked gazes with Olivia and asked, ”What time is the party starting? It's late.”

Laying on the bed with her hands resting on her stomach, Olivia glanced at the wall clock. The time read ten in the evening. Pursing her lips to hide her discontent, she uttered, ”They'll be here anytime now. You look nervous, Sister. Can you, please, stay in one place. I feel like I'm watching Finn prance around the room.”

”I don't think she's nervous,” Emily disagreed, bumping Ava on the hip. She added more gloss on her lips and puckered it up. Playing with Ava's hair, she mused, ”I think Mother Superior Ava is excited. Is this your first time playing dress-up?”

”Uh. Well…” Ava trained her sight on the ceiling as if counting. ”If we include trick-or-treating in the list, then this is not my first time.”

”Pffft! I knew it! What have you been doing all these years, Ava? No wonder I never saw you in any parties except those galas and balls.”

”Emily…” Ava trailed off. Her shoulders dropped upon remembering her teens spent holed up in the house reading a book or keeping herself busy with arts and crafts. ”I can't easily go out and attend parties. If my dad tells me, I can't attend a certain party, then it's fine,” Ava explained, although the way her gal pals were smiling at her told her she didn't need to.

”Oh good Lord.” Emily brushed the back of her finger on Ava's cheeks as if consoling the latter. ”You know what? Do Ollie a favor later, and keep this costume on for him. Let him peel it off one by one. I bet we will be hearing baby news soon,” Emily advised and winked at Ava who was pursing her lips at the idea.

”But this costume is hard to take off,” Ava said. She was about to say more, but an idea struck her like a lightning bolt. She then swallowed air in her suddenly parched throat when the image flashed before her eyes.

”Ava? Ava? Earth calling Ava~” Emily called Ava's name, snapping her fingers in front of the latter's face. It was enough to snap their friend out from her reverie. ”Gosh, Ava. You're a mess. Here, have some drink to tickle your nerves a bit.” Emily then passed a flute of champagne to her friend.

Chugging it all down, Ava beamed at Olivia and Emily. ”Why don't we take a photo first?”

”Good.”

”I second that.”

Emily and Olivia were quick on their feet. They faced the wide mirror inside the hotel suite, laughing at their reflection as they channel their villain version.

A second later, the knock on the door told them shit was about to hit the fan and their erratic heartbeat made them feel more alive than ever.

Slithering her way to the door, Ava opened the door and watched as Konstantin shoved Natalia Vasiliev inside, sending the girl tripping on the floor.